BIM Viewer

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PlanRadar’s BIM model viewer allows construction and real estate teams to gain BIM benefits on-the-go with smartly simple navigation. PlanRadar’s openBIM solution allows uploads of IFC files exported from Revit, ArchiCAD, AllPlan, Navisworks and more and enables PlanRadar users to work directly on the model.

Uploading IFC files

Uploading, deleting and exporting BIM models works in the same way as using 2D plans in PlanRadar. Click here to learn how to do this. Please note that models can only be uploaded through the webapp.

We recommend to use IFC4 to achieve the best results - but at least IFC2x3 format.

Consistent Coordinate Base for IFC Files

When importing multiple IFC files into one layer, it's crucial to ensure that all files use the same coordinate base.

IFC files with mismatched coordinate bases can result in misaligned or misplaced model elements, making visualization and coordination challenging. To guarantee accurate representation and overlay of your models, always establish a common coordinate system before exporting from your design software.

This ensures that when multiple IFC files are combined or viewed together in the BIM viewer, all elements align and display as intended, providing a seamless and accurate experience.

We also recommend to follow the Export IFC File Guidelines.

Webapp BIM guide

Open your BIM Model

After uploading your BIM model, it is immediately available within your project.

To start working with your BIM model, navigate to the tickets tab via the navigation bar, switch to plan view and select your BIM model from the layer dropdown menu:

Navigation

Controls and Movement

Once you have access to your model, there are various ways to move around.

• W – will move you forward,
• S – will move you backwards,
• A – will move you left,
• D – will move you right.

Using the scroll wheel on your mouse will also move you forwards and backwards

To look around your BIM model, click and hold your left mouse button on the screen and move your mouse to move the camera.

Navigation Cube

The navigation cube will always move in relation to the angle at which you are viewing your model. This allows you to know exactly which side you are viewing when navigating your model. You can also click on the cube to get the exact perspective of your model. The navigation cube can be seen in the bottom left corner of the screen.

 Joysticks

You also have the option of using the two joysticks (towards the bottom of the page) to move and look around.

• The left Joystick is to move your avatar forwards, backwards, left, and right.
• The right Joystick is to move the camera left and up and down the Y-axis.

 
 To quickly move between floors in your BIM model, you can also click on the floor plan tab found to the right of the screen. Clicking on any floor will automatically move you to the centre of that floor where you can continue navigating using one of the other methods.

 Camera View

The default camera view when you open your BIM model will be an orbit camera. The orbit camera operates by orbiting around the centre point. The center point is always at the centre of your model.

You can change the camera to a point of view camera by enabling ‘Walking Mode’. This allows you to look around the BIM model in first person view.

Options Mode

In the top left, you can click on Options which will show you the following features:

 Show Occluded Tickets

Enabling this option will show all pins within your model regardless if they are occluded or not. If this option is turned off, you will only see tickets that are not occluded by objects.

Walking mode

Selecting walking mode will allow you to look around in first person view.

Walking Speed

Controls the speed at which you move when navigating the model.

Measurement Tool

Using the measurement tool, you can measure anything within your BIM model, i.e. walls, doors, stairs.

Once you activate the measurement tool, click on your desired spot once to activate the tool, move your mouse to the endpoint of the element you want to measure and then click again. You can then repeat to create multiple measurements.

To look around while measuring, hold the left mouse button down and then move your mouse. This will make sure that you do not create any unwanted measurements.

To remove measurements you have made, you must exit the measurement tool. This will delete all measurements that you have created while in the tool.

 Section plane

The section plane tool allows you to hide sections of your BIM model, so that you can see inside or past certain sections.

Once you have the section plane tool enabled, you must click on one of section planes in the bottom right corner to start using it.

 Once you have selected the section plane you wish to use, you will see the section plane represented on your BIM model as it appears below in the photo.

You can rotate and move the section plane with the help of the arrows that are displayed.

 Moving the section plane towards your BIM model will allow you to hide parts of your model.

 To start working on your model without the section plane on the screen, click once again on the section plane you are using in the bottom right corner.

To exit the section plane tool altogether, open the options menu again and deselect the section plane tool.

 

Model Tree and Floor Plans

Model tree

(found on the right-hand side of the page)

Within the model tree, you can find every object within your BIM model. To navigate to a specific object, you can click through the different floors in your model tree to narrow down to the object you are aiming to identify. Clicking on objects within your model tree will automatically fly you to that object within the model. In the bottom of the model tree, you will see the information about the object.

Floor plan

(found on the right-hand side of the page)

Here you will see a list of the floors you have available in your BIM model. You can select which floors you would like to view or hide by clicking on the eye in the bottom right of each floor. When the eye symbol has been disabled, that floor will be hidden.

Clicking on a floor will move you directly to the centre of that floor.

Tickets on the BIM Model

Create Tickets

To create tickets on your BIM model, go to your desired location and right-click with your mouse on the point where you would like to create the ticket. You can then either accept or decline the ticket location. Accepting will allow you to select the form and create your ticket. This works the same as creating tickets on PDF plans.

Selecting Tickets

On the left, you will see all the tickets created on your BIM model If you click on any ticket, it will automatically move you to that ticket location.

Clicking on Objects within the BIM model

By clicking on any object, you will see the name and measurements of the chosen object on the right-hand side in the model tree.

(make sure you are in the Model tree tab on the right to view this information)

Double click to fly: Double-clicking on any object within your BIM model will automatically fly you towards it.

Mobile BIM guide

Opening a BIM model

After uploading your BIM model via the webapp, it is available on your mobile devices immediately after you synchronise your device. You can access your BIM models just as you would with your 2D plans. Navigate to your project and then select the layer that contains the BIM model. Your BIM model will be easily recognisable with BIM MODEL written directly below the layers name.

Navigation

Controls and Movement

Once you select the layer with your BIM model, the model will be displayed, centred on the screen.

You can move around your BIM model by selecting **walking mode** and using the two joysticks on the bottom left and bottom right of the screen.

• The left joystick is used to walk around the BIM model.
• The right joystick is used to go up and down the Y-axis.
• Use the touchscreen of the Ipad to look around the BIM model.
• The navigation Cube: The navigation cube will always move in relation to the angle at which you are viewing your model. This allows you to know exactly what side you are viewing when navigating your model. You can also click on the cube to get the exact perspective of your model. The navigation cube can be seen in the bottom right corner of the screen.
• Double-tap to fly: By double-tapping on an object within your model, you will automatically fly towards that object and enter orbit mode that is focused on that object. This allows you to easily view and move around the object. The centred object is highlighted in yellow

 

Walking Mode, Orbit Mode and Reposition

As highlighted in the picture below, you can switch between Walking Mode, Orbit Mode and make use of the Reposition button.

•  Walking Mode:

  Selecting Walking Mode will allow you to use the two joysticks to move around your model and move the camera in the first person.

•  Orbit Mode:

  Selecting Orbit Mode will allow you to orbit around the current area you are viewing. This mode is selected as default after loading a model.

•  Reposition:

  Clicking the Reposition button will re-centre your model and enable orbit mode automatically.

Options Button

Clicking on the options button found in the top right corner will display options for:

• Floor plans
• IFC model tree
• Switch 2D/3D view
• Show all pins

Floor Plans

Here you will see a list of the floors you have available in your BIM model. You can select which floors you would like to view or hide by tapping on the sliders found next to each floor.

 

You also have the option to get an aerial perspective of each floor by tapping on the floor.

IFC Model Tree

Within the IFC model tree, you can see every object within your BIM model.

To navigate to a specific object, you can click through the different floors in your model to narrow down to the specific object you are searching for.

Once you have found your desired object, clicking on it will show you its details.

 

You then have the option to click on ‘Centre Object’. This will automatically centre you on the specific object and x-ray the rest of your model. You will then be able to orbit around the selected object.

To exit out of this mode, click on the back button found in the top left.

Switch between 2D/3D plans

Choosing this option will allow you to switch between orthographic camera projection so it presents your model as if it were a 2D plan and perspective camera projection which will show your model in 3D. You can create tickets on both projections.

 

Show all pins

This option will allow you to show all your created pins within your model regardless if they are occluded or not:

 

Toggling this option off, will only show you tickets that are not occluded by objects:

Tickets in BIM

Create Tickets

Creating tickets in your BIM model is done the same way you would create tickets on your 2D plans. Click on the green create ticket button found at the bottom of the screen. This will then drop a pin onto your model which you can drag and drop to your desired location. You can then click the green tick to enter ticket creation.

Clicking on tickets

When you click on a ticket you have created within your BIM model, you will see a new button appear at the top of the page. Clicking on this button    (Fly to Ticket) will automatically move you to your position when you created the ticket:

 

After clicking on the Fly to Ticket button, it automatically moves you to where you were in the model when you created that ticket:

In your account, you can find manuals and FAQs. If you have any further questions, suggestions for improvement or comments, please contact: support@planradar.com. Alternatively, click on “Support” in the web platform and send us your request.